Our Founder

Consultant, Advisor, Teacher, Author

Paul O‚ÄôConnor founded The Adept Group in 1984 with a single focus: improving innovation and product management in large companies. Today, his clients include a long list of global companies across nearly every industry. In 2018, Paul released his highly acclaimed book on product line strategy entitled: The Profound Impact of Product Line Strategy: Your guide to Highly Productive Innovation and Product Management.

O‚ÄôConnor began his career with a leading innovation and strategy ‚ÄúThink Tank,‚ÄĚ using original open innovation methods. Paul led and simplified innovation initiatives at major companies like Exxon and Procter & Gamble. During this time, he worked with pioneers in practices such as project screening, staged development, portfolio management, and intrapreneurship.

The Adept Group services focus on improving product line strategies and their execution. Adept prides itself on simplifying the change needed to realize measurable gains from best-in-class practices and methods.

Leading Expert on Product Line Success

From 1990 to 1992, O‚ÄôConnor served as president of the Product Development and Management Association. PDMA is a leading proponent of best practices in innovation and product management. Paul played a key role in shaping PDMA‚Äôs first certification test for professional recognition. He also worked to set up foundational research on best practices and measuring new product success.

Paul has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and business publications. He was among the original contributors to PDMA‚Äôs first Handbook of Product Development in 1996 and 2008. He also wrote for PDMA‚Äôs 2004 ToolBook and was a contributing editor to R&D Magazine. His work also appeared in the respected Journal of Product Innovation Management.

Strategist and Frequent Speaker

O‚ÄôConnor teaches master courses in product line strategy. He is also a frequent speaker at professional meetings and corporate seminars. His topics include Product Line Strategy, Roadmapping, Portfolio Analytics, and Innovation Productivity.

O‚ÄôConnor earned a Bachelor of Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Babson College. Outside the office, O‚ÄôConnor spends much of his free time involved with family, music, antiques, and dogs.